mined age
it
it, and if not, they may safely ignore it. I doubt whether the article is strictly libellous. When actions Sir J. P. Hennessy did not bring for libel against the other papers, nor did The ask advice about inserting advertisements in them. Surely both points can best be decided on the spot. The present despatch sounds very much as if the Hong Kong Officials are afraid of Fraser Smith.
in.
The Attorney General's advice not referred to bring an action, in the case to me seems most sensible.
Reply that in future, as on the present occasion, the Governor must be guided by the advice of the Attorney General, using his own discretion in regard to allowing Government Officers to prosecute a newspaper for libel in any case; and in regard to publishing Government advertisements in the Daily Papers, in cases where greater publicity is desirable than is given by the Gazette, the Governor has discretion, taking into consideration the fact that each of the papers is probably read by a certain section of the population who may not see the others (as is suggested by par. 4 of despatch). But that the Secretary of State cannot take upon himself the responsibility of boycotting any particular newspapers.
one or two articles which were brought to his notice.
I would reply in the sense of the minute as far as it goes.
Sep 5.
The reasons for not taking official notice of newspaper criticisms are very rarely described. Proceedings in respect of newspaper criticisms and allegations of improper public conduct to which attention may be directed by the government should be injurious unless the government knows that the allegation is altogether incorrect.
Le Grenada 3616 (Lu 83. D.5.7) Sep 6
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